Michael Fortune

How can we ensure that national security doesn't come at the cost of individual rights and local control?

In conclusion, as we explore the nuances of immigration enforcement, it's imperative to engage in dialogue about the appropriate limits of federal authority.

Today, we've seen how these operations not only test the waters for federal prerogative, but also spark ongoing debates about civil liberties and the very definition of governance in our country.

Thanks for joining the Fortune Factor podcast.

Welcome to the Fortune Factor podcast.

Today, we're diving into a hot topic that has been stirring up much conversation and concern, the expansion of immigration enforcement during the Trump administration.

On January 20th, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14159, titled Protecting the American People Against Invasion.

This order marked a significant shift in immigration policy, expanding the use of expedited removals and denying federal funding to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.

What does this mean in practice?

Undocumented immigrants are facing heightened scrutiny, and there are now penalties for those who fail to register with authorities.

This level of enforcement has many people talking about what it means for the future of immigration in America.

Then we have Operation Safeguard, which was kicked off right after the signing of the executive order.

This operation focuses on rapidly detaining and removing undocumented migrants with violent criminal histories, targeting urban areas specifically.

Thanks to these measures, the year 2025 saw over 2.5 million departures related to immigration issues, with around 605,000 formal deportations.

It's a staggering statistic, isn't it?

Furthermore, by mid-2025, arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, surpassed 100,000.

This is a dramatic surge compared to previous years, signaling a very different approach to immigration enforcement.

But let's take a moment to unpack the numbers.

By December 2025, the capacity of immigration detention centers had increased nearly 75%, resulting in a record high of 66,000 individuals in custody.

Meanwhile, in February of the same year, we saw a significant drop in border apprehensions, 94% fewer compared to February 2024, indicating that these enforcement measures might be having an impact on illegal immigration at the southern border.